case studies of rapid chemical destruction of bulk and ......valentine a. nzengung, phd cto/ceo...

December 22, 2015 © MuniRem Environmental, LLC 1

MuniRem Environmental, LLC 111 Riverbend Rd, Ste 270 Athens, GA 30602

Case Studies of Rapid Chemical Destruction of Bulk and Residual Energetics

Valentine A. Nzengung, PhD CTO/CEO & Ben Redmond Munitions Consultant

Outline

MuniRem Technology

Case Study 1: On-Site inerting of recovered underwater munitions from Confederate States Ship (CSS) Georgia

Case Study 2: Decontamination of equipment and building

Case Study #3: Decontamination of scrap metal and bomb casings in support of demilitarization operations

Conclusion


MuniRem Technology


Voted 2010 Better World Technology

MuniRem® = Effective Chemical Remediation of Explosives and Munitions Constituents


Explosives & Chemical Agents, Organics

• Mustard (CWA)

• HMX / RDX / TNT

• DNTs / ADNTs

• NBs / NDMA

• Nitrocellulose

• PBX

• PCBs

• PETN

• Reactive Aluminum

• Others

Case Study #1: On-Site inerting of recovered underwater munitions from Confederate States Ship (CSS) Georgia


CSS Georgia Background

• Ironclad gunboat built for the Confederacy in 1862

• Completed Vessel was too heavy

• CSS Georgia spent her life as a floating battery in what is now the north edge of the Savannah Harbor navigation channel

• CSSG scuttled by Confederate troops on December 24, 1864

• Recovery of CSS Georgia and its munitions part of Savannah Port Expansion Project.

December 22, 2015 © MuniRem Enviromental, LLC 7

Breaching of Recovered Projectiles Total projectiles inerted = 170


Neutralization of the Breached Munitions

• After 150 years explosives still well preserved

• Explosives washout using MuniRem solution

• Explosives neutralized • Fuzes safely removed and

inerted • Munitions certified by SUXOS

as safe • Characterization and disposal

of non-hazardous waste


Case Study #1 Summary

• 170 Civil war munitions inerted on-site

• Munitions transferred to U.S. Army Corps

• Munitions preserved for historical purposes

• No hazardous waste produced

• Largest on-site neutralization of recovered underwater Confederate munitions December 22, 2015 © MuniRem Enviromental, LLC 10

Inerted Fuze

Case Study #2: Decontamination of a Munitions Demilitarization Building

Deluge Head Kettle Lid

Before

After

Before

After


• Explosives on walls, fixtures and equipment sprayed with MuniRem solution

• MuniRem rapidly destroyed the explosives

• Unlike steam, no explosives recrystallization observed after two weeks

• MuniRem resolves recrystallization problem after steam decontamination

• Results was non-hazardous waste suitable for treatment in standard sewage treatment facilities

Case Study #2: Equipment and Building Decontamination

Situation: • Melter/Flaker machine contained bulk H-6

(TNT, RDX, AL, Binder) explosives

• Large crystallized chunks of H-6 on equipment

• Wall surfaces and miscellaneous materials contaminated with explosives

• Lead paint chips mixed in with explosives

• Unusually low winter temperatures with freezing rain


Case Study #2: Equipment and Building Decontamination Hallway and Bulk Explosives on Equipment


MuniRem as a Safer Solution for Recovery and Neutralization of H6 Explosives in Equipment and Building

MuniRem solution achieved: Instant destruction of small

explosives pieces in-situ

Safe recovery of large explosives pieces

Neutralization of recovered explosives in reaction tanks

Safe disassembly of equipment and decontamination


Neutralization of H6 Explosives Recovered from Equipment and Building

• Small explosives pieces destroyed in-place using MuniRem spray

• Large H-6 chunks safely removed using MuniRem spray

• >900 lbs recovered and neutralized in MuniRem solution

• Equipment safely disassembled and decontaminated


Former Munitions Production Plant Neutralization of aged TNT in Building Pipes


Inside of the explosive hazard pipe after treatment

The 150 mm pipe (discharge end) before neutralization

Inside of the explosive hazard pipe before treatment

Application of MuniRem to Neutralize Crystallized TNT in Building Pipes at a Former Army Ammunition Plant in Australia

Case Study #3: MuniRem in Support of Demilitarization


MuniRem Application at a Demilitarization Plant in SE Asia


MuniRem Summary


Advantages of MuniRem® solution

• MuniRem is faster, safer, more cost-effective and green

• MuniRem directly benefits customer through lower remediation costs and less impact (time and $)

• MuniRem is a safer and low-cost alternative to steam decontamination

21

Faster Land Transfer and Treatment

Can remediate soil and groundwater contaminated sites in weeks to months

Safer Green Solution

Little danger to the user and surrounding community, no heat or waste products

Lower Cost

Reduces time to completion, eliminates hazardous disposal costs

December 22, 2015 © MuniRem Environmental, LLC


Questions Please?

Contact: Professor Valentine Nzengung, PhD Mobile: (706) 202-4296 Office: (706) 316-3525 Email: [email protected]

Website: www.munirem.com

case studies of rapid chemical destruction of bulk and ......valentine a. nzengung, phd cto/ceo...

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